Nalder welcomes back Renaissance Man

03 August 2011
by Greg Hayes


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Rob Nalder.

Harness Racing New South Wales board member Rob Nalder cannot hide his excitement with his multiple Group 1 winner Renaissance Man returning to the racetrack at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday night. The son of Art Major has not raced since February and has spent ten weeks resting at Yirribee Stud but is now ready to return to his best.
“It’s great to have him back and Andy Gath tells me that he is going really well and he still has his head screwed on at this stage of his preparation” Nalder said.
“He is a strange horse because away from the track he is an absolute gentleman, docile and placid but as soon as he gets the gig on off goes his head and on goes a pumpkin!”
After enjoying stellar two and three year old seasons there was some talk that Renaissance Man could be retired to stud at the end of his four year old campaign but Nalder has confirmed that he will definitely race on for at least another twelve months.
“He’s still got a bit to prove I think and if he performs as well as I know he can then he is going to be competitive in a number of feature races coming up, starting with the Breeders Crown four year old series later this month.”
“Renaissance Man has had a long slow preparation, there is nothing more Andy and Kate could have done with him this time in so I am hoping he can perform extremely well this week, unfortunately due to work commitments I won’t be able to attend this Friday night but I will be there to watch him after that, he is a very special horse to me.”
Nalder freely admits the decision to take on the best in the country last campaign was too much for Renaissance Man.
“We ended up spelling him last time because he had just gone over the top and I take a fair bit of the blame for that because I was the one that wanted to race the good ones in the best races when he wasn’t seasoned enough to deal with the pressure.”
“The break has done him the world of good.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
Name: Dale Walker
Position: Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 9722 6600
Email: dwalker@hrnsw.com.au

Classic

I have a lot of respect for what Renaissance Man has done in his career. The trouble is that you never know what is going on in his head until after a race starts. Sometimes he looks like a star and other times he is completely crazy. Hope that this season they might be able to work him out , or he finally gets his head together , so that he can live up to his undoubted potential.

Concerning his stud future , although he is well bred and has some top class siblings , I'd be a little hesitant in sending my mares to him. Just a very personal opinion , but I feel that he will not be too well supported. I hear on the "grapevine" that early feelers are already out to some owners of wellbred mares for his first season at stud , but the approaches have been met with a frosty response :-( Let's see what he can do this season on the track.

Just had a look at his record and his pedigree. Race record looks good, a very nice family with plenty of quality horses.

As far as a stud career goes I agree you would like him to see him do well this season and perhaps see him go a very fast mile at menangle. At this stage I would imagine he could get 60 - 80 mares at around $ 1500 + gst.

Hey Triple

Mate that pic was a classic, you must be going soft in your old age.

Wicked speed, grabs on hard & charges when he wants to use it and his driver does not. I wonder if they've ever thought of putting G. Sugars up? He has great hands and the horse may well relax for him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mango

Hey Triple

Mate that pic was a classic, you must be going soft in your old age.

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Picked it in one Mango. Picked it in one. I've become a handbag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Love Of Courage

Just had a look at his record and his pedigree. Race record looks good, a very nice family with plenty of quality horses.

As far as a stud career goes I agree you would like him to see him do well this season and perhaps see him go a very fast mile at menangle. At this stage I would imagine he could get 60 - 80 mares at around $ 1500 + gst.

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He has wicked point to point speed LOC. More zip than the Roadrunner.

By the way...see the look of disdain on Rob's face in that picture?
It was taken at the NSW Breeders Challenge Finals and during his speech Rob looked up and towards the right hand rear of the marquee and noticed John Coffey http://www.davislangdon.com/upload/i...n%20Coffey.jpgwhacking into a HUGE slab of Blueberry Cheesecake http://juicewhore.com/store/images/u...cheesecake.jpgthat he'd secured from the desert buffe'. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Love Of Courage

Just had a look at his record and his pedigree. Race record looks good, a very nice family with plenty of quality horses.

As far as a stud career goes I agree you would like him to see him do well this season and perhaps see him go a very fast mile at menangle. At this stage I would imagine he could get 60 - 80 mares at around $ 1500 + gst.

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Speaking of new sires , I am REALLY looking forward to getting a look at some of the Skyvalley foals in the coming year. Simply a brilliant trotter on the track and must have just about the best pedigree of any harness horse here in Oz.

I would love to have shares in him :-) Ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned. Love the juvenile trotters , so maybe one might find it's way in my direction in a year or so :-)

Lovely horse. Keen on seeing the first of the Crazed foals too. We'll get him here in Oz by frozen semen this year. He's a great looking horse and had wicked point to point high speed...something that a lot of our Trotters seem to lack.

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Originally Posted by triplev123

He has wicked point to point speed LOC. More zip than the Roadrunner.

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I have always liked Renaissance man since he had the good two year old duel with Bells & Whistles the Courage youngster.I think they went 1.56 that night. Thought he looked a superstar and Derby horse for sure. Just think with the great selection of horses in the $2k to $ 5K range he would struggle somewhat to pick up a large book at prices above this. Gotta Go Cullect picked up very good books at $2.5 K though.

Any thoughts as to what others would price him at this this stage.

Ah the so called Industry Rep on the HRNSW Board.

Rep is a term to be used very loosely.

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Originally Posted by The Big Mile

Ah the so called Industry Rep on the HRNSW Board.

Rep is a term to be used very loosely.

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Whle heartedly agree with that one TBM

Good on him for admitting he screwed the horse last year. Not many would do that.

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Originally Posted by aussiebreno

Good on him for admitting he screwed the horse last year. Not many would do that.

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Given the deal he signed with Alabar???? for stallion rights once the horse has retired, I am not surprised in the slightest.

That's what I get for skimming. Completely missed that, you're right; it does offer a reason though.

Horrible run by Renaissance Man last night. The worst in his career. Too bad to be true, surely there is something very wrong with him. Stood down till vet certificate available.

BTW, what were the other drivers in the race doing in the race in regards to the winner Alberado? I know his form was shocking coming into the race , but overall the whole race was rather strangely run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shBKTA3QIok

You go down the longest road to nowhere
You pull it apart and you’re just left there

Quote:

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Originally Posted by triplev123

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shBKTA3QIok

You go down the longest road to nowhere
You pull it apart and you’re just left there

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Huh, call me thick , but I don't get what that video has to do with this thread. Are you an agent for whoever the singer / group is? Needs subtitles if there is some hidden message there. Can't understand a word of the song.

It's the vibe of the thing, your Honour.

Yet another absolute shocker by Renaissance Man tonight. What were they thinking putting a horse like this in a standing start? Galloped away hopelessly. He is crazy at the best of times. How could anyone in their right mind back him , let alone back him into favouritism? I would not bet on him to beat a field of M0 trotters these days !

I was a real fan of him in his 2YO days , but he has so many problems now I don't think it is worthwhile continuing with trying to get him to perform on the track anymore the way he has gone since this so-called "comeback".

Maybe a change in driver wouldn't hurt.

if i owned him i'd go and flog kate with her whip all the way up the straight...fancy chasing the field, hooking 3 wide and hitting him all the way up the straight

Certainly not helping his confidence, if there is any at all.

not often you'll hear a punter say this, but she should have been suspended for the drive, gave them 40m and chasing in track record time, has to raise welfare issues

but their more concerned about a horse running in the money being hit once too often

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxyx7...eature=related

Triples enjoy your work.

However in the case of what could've been in regard to Renaissance Man I think the following Carol King is a bit more apt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSep7QJXKlE

As for the driver the only excuse could be the following from Dr Hook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9zcLAUp5E0

HRNSW are seeking new promotional material:)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-d7z...eature=related

The driver needs a little of the Rick James remedy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsXzDMRFWkk